The Rise School of Denver

What The Rise School of Denver does

The Rise School of Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inclusive early childhood education center founded in 2003 (predecessor entity "Friends of Children with Down Syndrome of Colorado Inc." formed in 2001) and based in Denver, Colorado. It serves approximately 55 children aged 12 months to 5 years, integrating children with and without developmental disabilities across four age-based classrooms (Bears 1–2yr, Kangaroos 2–3yr, Ladybugs 3–4yr, Caterpillars 4–5yr) at evidence-based inclusion ratios of two to three typically developing children per child with a disability. The program is delivered by a transdisciplinary team in which lead teachers hold master's degrees in early childhood special education and full-time speech, occupational, music, and feeding therapists support students, achieving student-to-teacher ratios of 3:1 or 4:1. Curricula include Get Set for School (Handwriting Without Tears), Zoo Phonics, and the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, with progress measured through ASQ-3, ASQ:SE-2, and AEPS-3 assessments.

The school's revenue model combines tuition with substantial fundraising: tuition covers approximately 45% of operating costs, with the balance from charitable donations, grants, and events. A flat tuition structure was adopted in 2021 alongside the launch of the Rise Therapy Center (RTC), an outpatient clinic providing speech, occupational, music, and feeding therapy that accepts Medicaid and serves external families up to age 18. Ancillary paid programs include inclusive toddler groups (e.g., 5-week program at $115), Open Gym drop-ins ($20 single visit or $75 punch card), and a $60 waitlist deposit. The organization employs approximately 18 staff, owns its facility at 4901 E. Eastman Avenue (purchased 2018), and maintains a 13+ year partnership with Special Olympics Colorado. Family communication is handled via the third-party Brightwheel app.

The operation is currently at or near its 55-child physical capacity in the preschool program, meaning incremental growth is more likely to come from the RTC service line and ancillary programs than from preschool enrollment absent facility expansion. The combination of specialized talent, owned real estate, and a diversified revenue stack (tuition, donations, therapy fees) supports a stable operating posture, while geographic concentration in the Denver metro area remains the primary exposure for the model.

Name

The Rise School of Denver

Legal name

The Rise School of Denver

Website

https://risedenver.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Rise School of Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inclusive preschool serving approximately 55 children aged 12 months to 5 years with and without developmental disabilities through evidence-based inclusion ratios, transdisciplinary master's-level teams, and an integrated outpatient therapy clinic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Inclusive Education and Pediatric Therapy Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (624110), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Inclusive Preschools (Special Needs Integrated) (EDACABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Therapeutic & Developmental Preschools (Specialized Support) (EDACABAO), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL), Developmental Screening & Assessment (0–5) (EDACAFAA)

Keywords

• Inclusive early childhood education
• Developmental disability preschool
• Pediatric outpatient therapy
• Special needs preschool
• Speech occupational therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Tuition from families for preschool and childcare services. Covers approximately 45% of program operating costs. Flat tuition structure means families of children with disabilities pay same amount as families of children without disabilities.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Community donations, stock donations via DonateStock.com, donor-advised fund contributions, and general fundraising events. Major portion of budget dependency. Colorado Child Care Tax Credit (50% state tax credit) incentivizes donations.
3. Rise Therapy Center (RTC) Services: Outpatient therapy services including speech, occupational, music, and feeding therapy; parent education; early intervention; community groups. Services families both within and outside school community. Accepts Medicaid and Medicaid as Secondary.
4. Inclusive Toddler Groups: Community group classes for children 1-4 years with and without disabilities. 5-week sessions co-led by therapists. Also offers drop-in and punch card options for Open Gym sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Rise School of Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inclusive preschool serving children ages 12 months to 5 years, both with and without developmental disabilities, in four age-based classrooms (Bears, Kangaroos, Ladybugs, Caterpillars). It combines evidence-based early childhood education with integrated therapeutic services (speech, occupational, physical, music, and feeding therapy) delivered by a transdisciplinary team, and also operates the Rise Therapy Center (RTC), which provides outpatient pediatric therapy to the broader community.

Product overview

The Rise School of Denver is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as an inclusive early childhood education center. The organization offers a unified program combining preschool education with integrated therapeutic services. The core offerings include: (1) the Inclusive Preschool Program with four age-based classrooms serving children 12 months to five years, (2) the Rise Therapy Center providing outpatient therapy services including speech, occupational, music, and feeding therapies, and (3) Inclusive Toddler Groups offering structured group experiences for young children with and without disabilities. All programs are subsidized through donor support and operate under the shared mission of providing high-quality inclusion-based early childhood education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rise Therapy Center (RTC): An outpatient therapy program providing individualized therapies for young children with and without disabilities, launched in 2021 as a family-centered bridge from early intervention therapies into elementary school.

Products and services

• Inclusive Preschool Program Inclusive nonprofit preschool program serving children 12 months to five years with and without developmental disabilities across four age-based classrooms (Bears 1-2yr, Kangaroos 2-3yr, Ladybugs 3-4yr, Caterpillars 4-5yr), each supporting 9-12 children with evidence-based inclusion ratios and integrated therapeutic support. Licensed by the Child Care Division of the State of Colorado.
• Rise Therapy Center (RTC) Outpatient pediatric therapy center providing individualized speech, occupational, music, and feeding therapies; parent education and coaching; early intervention services; and family play groups for children birth through 18 years. Accepts Medicaid and Medicaid as Secondary. Services Monday through Saturday, 7:00am-6:00pm.
• Inclusive Toddler Groups Community-based 5-week group classes for children 1-4 years with and without disabilities, co-led by music, occupational, and/or speech therapists. Includes Munch and Move and Rise & Vibe programs plus Open Gym drop-in and punch card sessions.
• After School Program After school care program available 2:30pm-4:30pm Monday through Thursday for enrolled families, offered at an additional charge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduated more than 200 students with and without disabilities into kindergarten
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Special Olympics ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership (13+ years) with Special Olympics Colorado for Young Athletes Program. Engages all children through developmentally appropriate play activities fostering physical, cognitive, and social development. Classroom teachers also have access to Get Into It program resources focusing on diversity, similarities/differences, and advocacy.
• DonateStock.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStock donation partnership enabling supporters to make stock donations in 10 minutes or less through secure portal. Allows donors to avoid tax on stock gains while deducting 100% of contribution value.
• Network for GoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline donation platform partner for receiving monetary donations through Network for Good's fundraising portal.
• MintedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoliday fundraising partnership where Minted donates 10% back to Rise for orders placed using code FUNDRAISERSDENVER. Shoppers also receive 20% off holiday card and gift purchases.
• RMHS (Rocky Mountain Human Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) services coordination. Children receiving IFSP services through RMHS may be eligible for financial support for inclusive toddler groups.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National organization supporting people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities through education, therapy, and early childhood programs. Touches the same therapeutic and inclusive-early-childhood space but operates as an affiliate network with broader service scope.
• The Arc: National nonprofit providing advocacy and direct services (including early childhood and inclusive education programs) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps in mission to enable inclusive early childhood experiences.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit operating disability and early childhood services across many states, including inclusive early childhood programs. Overlaps in mission and service delivery but at a much broader geographic and programmatic scale than Rise Denver.

Direct peers

• The Rise School of Dallas: Sister Rise School operating the same evidence-based inclusive preschool model in Dallas, TX. Uses the same inclusion ratios and serves children with and without developmental disabilities, making it the closest operational and conceptual peer.
• Rise School of Houston: Houston affiliate of the Rise School network delivering the same inclusive early childhood education model with integrated therapy services, founded via the same national network that inspired The Rise School of Denver.

Regional players

• Kindering Center: Seattle-based nonprofit providing early childhood special education, inclusive preschool, and therapy services for children with developmental delays/disabilities. Highly comparable service mix (early intervention + inclusive preschool) but serves the Pacific Northwest rather than Denver.

Emerging players

• GiGi's Playhouse: National network of achievement centers serving individuals with Down syndrome through educational and therapeutic programming, including early childhood offerings. Comparable in serving the Down syndrome population but heavier on therapy/achievement programming than preschool enrollment.
• Help Me Grow: National early childhood system model focused on identifying developmental concerns and connecting families to services. Comparable to Rise's early intervention and family-centered service approach, though delivered through state affiliate networks rather than a single facility.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-rise-school-of-denver

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Rise School of Denver